Ridgeway prehistoric road off limits to motorbikes and 4x4s during Winter
Bravo. Who says there is no good news on the news.
One of the amazing things about humanity is that the supply of Yahoos (in the Jonathan Swift sense) is endless. The story below is once again evidence for the necessity of laws. Here - as is usually the case - voluntary codes simply do not work because there are always people who do not abide by them.
The BBC carries a November 12, 2004 article reporting that:
"Motorbikes and 4x4 vehicles which were damaging one of Britain's oldest roads have been banned from the [Ridgeway by a] ... temporary order ... imposed by a number of district councils on parts of the Ridgeway National Trail in south Oxfordshire during winter months.
In previous years the 6,000-year-old trail has been churned up by trail bikers and off-road drivers. The ancient chalk ridge route, used by prehistoric man, runs across the Chilterns and the Wessex Downs.
This ban is excellent news for all walkers, horse riders and cyclists who wish to enjoy the Ridgeway in peace.
A council spokeswoman said: 'We have undertaken extensive surface repairs and drainage improvements on the trail over the last two years. I am pleased to say that the condition of the Ridgeway is improving. However, we need to protect the most vulnerable sections from unacceptable levels of damage over the winter.'
Ian Ritchie, chairman of the Friends Of The Ridgeway, said: 'A voluntary code of respect has been in operation on the Ridgeway for 10 years but has plainly not been working. This ban is excellent news for all walkers, horse riders and cyclists who wish to enjoy the Ridgeway in peace, free from the ruts and mud that make the trail hazardous and unpleasant.' "
This is also the kind of legal sanction that needs to be imposed in many other places and countries where ancient sites are being destroyed by ignorants. Nazca in Peru is another example where joyriders are ruining the ancient Nazca lines and figures. (For more information on Nazca, see LexiLine.com).
Crossposted to LawPundit.